Somewhere in the middle of Chrysochou Bay, at a distance of about 40km from Pafos town, between the Pafos forest in the east and the Akamas peninsula in the west, a historic town has existed for thousands of years. It is nowadays called Polis Chrysochous, while in the Hellenistic and Medieval years it was known as ‘Arsinoe’, and in ancient times it was called ‘Marion’.
A trip to this western edge of our island is not only an immersive tour experience, but also an exploratory walk through the history of many centuries, as it is believed that this area has been inhabited since the Cypro-Archaic Period (725-475 B.C.) and was one of the ten ancient kingdoms of Cyprus. However, from evidence found to date from inscriptions and coins, we only know the names of a few of the kings of Marion from the 5th and 4th centuries B.C.
The area of Chrysochou Bay is rich both geographically and historically. It is also adorned with natural beauty: the endless blue of the Mediterranean Sea, long pebble beaches, picturesque sunny valleys and historical and cultural treasures, as well as legends and ancient myths artfully intertwined with the present day, in a place where ancient gods and kings used to live and were worshipped. It is ultimately a wonderful attraction for nature enthusiasts, explorers, and the admirers of its history, culture, and Cyprus’ unique local identity. Demanding travelers and swimmers who visit the area marvel at the majestic exotic beaches, the warm Mediterranean climate, the crystal clear blue waters, the unique landscapes, the gastronomic local delights, and moments of peace and relaxation, away from the crowds of the cosmopolitan resorts. A trip to Polis Chrysochous is also an opportunity to get acquainted with the neighboring Akamas peninsula to the west and the wider area of Chrysochou Bay and its picturesque villages to the east. All these, combined with the genuine and cordial hospitality of the locals, comprise the perfect panorama for an unforgettable escape to both the residential areas and the seaside landscapes of the region.
Although today Polis Chrysochous appears to be a small, well-established town with modern schools and contemporary infrastructure services such as shops, pharmacies, banks, a football stadium, hospital, governmental and semi-governmental services and so on, it still retains its traditional character and the rural element of the region, with its farming activities and much of its land given over to agriculture. The juxtaposition of traditional and modern elements forms the authentic identity of today’s Polis Chrysochous, giving it an irresistible and evocative charm and individuality.
Polis Chrysochous invites you to discover it by following one of the two scenic routes from the town of Pafos, either through the lush green Stroumpi (B7), or by choosing the coastal route through Pegeia (E709), overlooking the endless blue of the Mediterranean Sea and the smooth elevations of the imposing Laona plateau.
Polis Chrysochous has been the agricultural capital of the area for centuries, thanks to the productive cultivation of its fertile alluvial land with its rich soil. There is a wide variety of both irrigated and dry crops, such as olive trees, carob trees, vines, various fruit trees, citrus trees, almond trees, walnut trees and other types of crops. Commercial activities were relatively limited in the past, but non-agricultural employment in the neighboring ‘Limni’ mine contributed to a large extent to the population growth of the village, up until 1979 when it was closed due to the exhaustion of resources. Nowadays, Polis Chrysochous has embraced tourism and is undoubtedly a popular resort and sought-after destination, especially during peak summer periods. Its excellent geographical location makes it a regional tourist and commercial hub for the whole district.
Latsi, with its attractive beaches and an ever-increasing development of tourist accommodation and restaurants, attracts thousands of visitors every year. They seek relaxation, nice clean waters for swimming, and beautiful landscapes for exploring. Organized cruises are also offered from Latsi, to explore the eastern coastline of Akamas towards the famous Baths of Aphrodite and the idyllic Fontana Amorosa, until reaching the cape of Akamas.
The sea surrounding the area, apart from its attractive beaches, is considered a hot spot for its marine biodiversity on a global scale, and an important and fertile habitat or refuge for many living organisms. Some marine species that are also found in other parts of the island, such as the Loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta and the Mediterranean monk seal, which are classed as vulnerable, are found in the marine environment to the west and east of Polis Chrysochous The ‘Posidonia oceanica’ seagrass, which is endemic to the Mediterranean and considered to be its most important marine ecosystem, holds an honorary place in this western edge of Cyprus, since one of the deepest Posidonia meadows in the Mediterranean has been found in the Akamas region. The turtles that nest on the beaches of Polis Chrysochous usually find protection in the underwater meadow, while they feed and breed.
Polis Chrysochous Municipality is one of the most historic municipalities in Cyprus, as it was founded in 1882, during the early years of British colonial rule, and was officially declared a municipality in 1907. As of 2024, following the Local Government Reform in Cyprus, the municipality includes a total of fourteen municipal districts: Polis Chrysochous, Agia Marina Chrysochous, Androlikou, Argaka, Gialia, Drouseia, Kritou Tera, Makounta, Neo Chorio, Nea Dimmata, Pelathousa, Tera, Pomos, and Chrysochou.
The town was built on the foundations of ancient Marion, one of the ten ancient city kingdoms of Cyprus. Indeed, Marion was one of the most important ancient kingdoms of Cyprus, is associated with the valley of today’s Polis Chrysochous.
Archaeological excavations have revealed ceramic shards that point to the use of the same site since the Late Bronze Age is indicative of this intrinsic correlation (Childs 1997, 37-39). This is also attested by the findings of excavated cemeteries in the wider area, which date from the Cypro-Geometric period (1050-750 B.C.) and continue until the Roman and Byzantine periods. (SCE III, 287-288 Nikolaou 1964,131-187; Childs 1988, 121-130 and 1999, 223-237).
Ancient Marion was one of the richest kingdoms of Cyprus, due to its geographical position and the rich copper deposits in the neighboring Limni Mine as well as the presence of a port, from which goods could be exported and imported. Its geographical location also allowed it to establish relations with mainland Greece, since it was the closest port to Greece, and this is where ships from the west used to arrive first.
The Greek identity of Marion is also verified both by the epigraphic Greek names of kings, and by ancient literary sources. The ancient Greek explorer Scylax of Caryanda (late 6th and early 5th century B.C.) in his work ‘Periplus’, describes Marion (and Salamis on the East coast) as “Greek cities”. According to the great scholar and grammarian Stephanus of Byzantium (6th century A.D.) in his work ‘Epitome’, the city was founded by a mythical person, Marieas, who gave it an eponymous name.
institution of kingdoms was abolished by Ptolemy I. During the Hellenistic period, it was renamed Arsinoe, after its destruction and reconstruction, and carried this name in honor of Arsinoe II, queen of Egypt and Cyprus, daughter of Ptolemy I Soter and sister of Ptolemy II Philadelphus.
The new city of Arsinoe was developed during the Hellenistic period and lasted until the end of Antiquity. It seems to have flourished during the Early Byzantine period but was severely affected and eventually destroyed by the Arab invasions.
It was in fact home to one of the first Christian dioceses founded in Cyprus during the spread of Christianity. The name Arsinoe gradually died out and it was renamed Polis Chrysochous. The settlement was known by this name during Frankish Rule and is mentioned as such by the medieval chronicler Leontios Machairas.
The historian Florio Bustron (16th century A.D.) mentions that the settlement of Polis Chrysochous was located in the area of ancient Arsinoe, noting that there was another ancient city to its west, Akamantis, “in the area called Akamas”. On ancient maps, the settlement is marked as ‘Poli’.
As the administrative capital of one of the districts of Cyprus, Polis Chrysochous remained even after the occupation of Cyprus by the Turks, thus some administrative, religious and other Turkish officials settled there.
With a centuries-old past, Polis Chrysochous today reflects its long history. The archaeological site of Marion, the churches, the museums, and the cultural monuments reveal the rich legacy of its past, although we don’t know its entire extent yet as there are still prospects for new future excavations.
From the Guide to “Exploring Polis Chrysochous”, A journey through the villages of Chrysochou Bay and Akamas.
The book is available at the Museum of Sea and Culture of Polis-Latsia
